ZIA to screen swine flu
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
A desk will be open this week at Zia International Airport (ZIA) to screen visitors coming from outside the country, especially countries affected by swine flu as part of a pre-cautionary step to prevent spread of the influenza, officials said, reports UNB.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at the office of Director General (DG) (Health Services) chaired by its DG Prof Dr Shah Monir Hossain Monday.
Technical committee comprising epidemiologists, representative from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, and other organisations attended the meeting.
Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research Mahmudur Rahman told the news agency over the cell phone that a board would be set up at ZIA inscribing symptoms of the Swine flu.
Incoming passengers will have to fill-up prescribed forms on arrival as a kind of self-declaration whether they are immune of the virus.
If anyone is suspected of being affected by the virus, he or she may be advised to remain inside their respective homes, the Director added.
Mahmudur Rahman said instruction has already been given to the Health Officer of ZIA to check passengers manually.
An orientation programme will be conducted at ZIA among officials tomorrow (Wednesday) on how to deal with the matter, the Director said, adding that the desk will be opened from Thursday.
"We have internal preparations and we will strengthen our surveillance'" he said.
Measures have been taken responding to the outbreak of the swine influenza (H1N1) broke out mainly in Mexico.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at the office of Director General (DG) (Health Services) chaired by its DG Prof Dr Shah Monir Hossain Monday.
Technical committee comprising epidemiologists, representative from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, and other organisations attended the meeting.
Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research Mahmudur Rahman told the news agency over the cell phone that a board would be set up at ZIA inscribing symptoms of the Swine flu.
Incoming passengers will have to fill-up prescribed forms on arrival as a kind of self-declaration whether they are immune of the virus.
If anyone is suspected of being affected by the virus, he or she may be advised to remain inside their respective homes, the Director added.
Mahmudur Rahman said instruction has already been given to the Health Officer of ZIA to check passengers manually.
An orientation programme will be conducted at ZIA among officials tomorrow (Wednesday) on how to deal with the matter, the Director said, adding that the desk will be opened from Thursday.
"We have internal preparations and we will strengthen our surveillance'" he said.
Measures have been taken responding to the outbreak of the swine influenza (H1N1) broke out mainly in Mexico.